GOP strategist predicts how Trump could have 'enormous power' even after his term ends
President Donald Trump attends UFC 327 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on April 11, 2026. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool via REUTERS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A Republican strategist predicted that Trump wants to remain in his GOP kingmaker role even more than a third term.

"I'm not a person who believes he's going to run for a third term," Republican strategist Liam Donavan told journalist Ezra Klein in a video opinion piece. "But could he continue to exert enormous power over the Republican Party by continuing to intervene in primaries all over the country? I think he absolutely could, and you can be the kingmaker even when you're not the king."

Trump endorsements have ousted established GOP senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) as well as state lawmakers in Indiana.

For Trump, "he is less worried about a world where Democrats have power than he is about a world where Republicans feel empowered to abandon him," Donovan argued.

"I think just his impulses are to flex his muscles and have Republicans do what he wants," Donovan said.